Gretchen has asked me to tell you what I’ve been up to since retiring. 

Having decided to retire in the middle of the Covid epidemic, I will admit to a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out) as all the items on my bucket list were virtually impossible and time was ticking on!

Time is such a precious resource, more so even than money, but one we can’t control or bank for the future. 

But we can invest in time and to make up for that which was lost to Covid, I’ve been throwing myself into that investment with much gusto! 

At the time of writing I am sitting on a very nice cruise ship in Osaka, Japan with a marvellous view and a glass of perfectly chilled white wine. 

My old clients will know that I have always advised a good work-life balance and told them to relish life and their future plans. After all, life is not a dress rehearsal and we only have one chance of getting it right! 

I’m sure they will be delighted to know that I am following my own advice and definitely “walking the talk!” 

Having been confined by Covid and then “set free,” I have been making up for lost time!

Last year Bob (hubby) and I had so many holidays that friends threatened to enquire about our UK tax status! 

I expect that many others found themselves in a similar position, taking Covid postponed trips with only brief intervals. 

So what have I been up to and what can I recommend to others? 

Well the big event was our (delayed) wedding in July 2021 but we couldn’t take our honeymoon trip to Africa until September last year. 

We went to Victoria Falls where we swam in the crocodile-infested Zambezi to reach Devil’s Pool where we literally hung out over the massive waterfall – scary, but thrilling and definitely recommended. 

Next we went on a big game safari with a private company into the Kruger National Park – a truly amazing experience! As was a trip to Capetown and then a well earned relax in Mauritius. 

Other holidays included a cruise to the Norwegian Fiords; a motorhome trip around Spain; the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland by motorbike; skiing in the French Alps; a private tour of Sri Lanka and other various shorter jaunts. 

Closer to home, I have really enjoyed exploring London as a tourist – visiting galleries and going to the West End – not just diving in and out for business and client meetings. 

But retirement is not all about holidays. I have always advised clients that when they stop working, they must find something purposeful and enjoyable to do with their time. Sitting about just waiting for the end (whatever that means) is NOT an option! 

So I have ticked a few things off the bucket list like passing my motorbike test; gaining a GCSE in Spanish and reading some of the classic literature that I missed earlier in life. Oh and we built our retirement home too! 

I also had the fantastic opportunity to go wing walking! I stood on the top wing of a

small 100-year-old bi-plane and flew around an old airfield. An exhilarating experience but not for the faint-hearted! 

I am also now a regular at local Pilates and yoga classes to keep me fit and flexible and have joined a walking group. I want to spend my money on travelling the world, rather than on knee/hip operations and nursing care! 

As some of you will know, I am passionate about music. I still play tenor saxophone in a big swing band and have recently become the entertainment and marketing “officer” for our local village hall. 

Until now I never really understood why some retired clients complained about not having enough time. With so much to do in life and the inevitability of time marching forward, we need to make every day count. 

I don’t mean we have to be constantly rushing around and doing things, because rest and relaxation are equally important as is keeping up with family and friends. But we do have to live in a meaningful way and make the most of the time we have left. 

I for one am embracing this idea and my financial plan is still to die with a £5 overdraft! 

So Sayonara from Japan and onto the next adventure!